Returning to form

Syndie hours regain ratings; rookies on rise

HOLLYWOOD — The top weekly syndicated hours posted improved rating perfs during the week ended June 24, following their struggle the previous week with preemptions due to U.S. Open Golf coverage.

“Entertainment Tonight Weekend” recovered by 24% week-to-week, tallying a 3.6 national household rating to lead the category, according to Nielsen. Perf is up 29% over the same week last year.

The second-to-last episode of “Xena: Warrior Princess” came next, earning a 3.2 — up 10% for the week and 14% year-to-year. Ratings for the two-hour finale that ended the skein’s six-year run will be available next week.

The weekend off-net run of “ER” also posted double-digit percentage increases over the prior week, as did the top rookie weekly hours.

“ER” moved up 19% to 3.1, taking third among all weekly hours in syndie while slipping 6% compared to the same week last year.

“Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda” moved up 14% week-to-week to a 2.5 to lead the rookies. “Maximum Exposure” followed, up 18% to 2.0.

The week also was good to most of the rookie strips that are returning this fall and to most veteran gavelers.

Frosh strip “Judge Hatchett” was one exception, dipping 6% from the previous week to a series low 1.7.

“Power of Attorney,” “Street Smarts” and “To Tell the Truth” all earned a slightly higher 1.8 rating for the week. “Power” and “Street” were up 6% each, while “Truth” climbed 13%.

Among the court shows, genre leader “Judge Judy” edged up 4% to 5.3, followed by “Judge Joe Brown,” up 3% to 3.3.

“Divorce Court” moved up 4% to 2.4, and “Judge Mathis” rose 5% to 2.1. “People’s Court” was up 6% to 1.9 and “Judge Mills Lane,” which is not returning this fall, climbed 8% to 1.3.

Elsewhere in daytime, the talkshows turned in mixed perfs, with six of the 11 posting gains, four dipping and one remaining flat.

In the game category, “Hollywood Squares,” which was in repeats, earned a series low 3.0. Show, which preemed in September 1998, is down 6% for the week and 21% for the year.